Perspective...Continued

As you may or may not know, I was the female co-host on a morning radio show for several years. For those of you that have ever held this job- you already know this...for the rest of you? Allow me to explain...

The job of a female co-host is to gossip. Daily. Whether it's our opinions on celebrities, politicians, or Joe Schmo that somehow made the news. We are to have a strong opinion (not too strong, lest we come across as a know-it-all)...any opinion...just something to get people talking and calling in.

It's been 6 months and 4 days since I left radio. On my 6 month anniversary- I had a revelation. The gossip and opinions I was expressing daily were wearing me down. To judge people and make fun of people...people I've never met in my life...was truly taking a toll on my mind and my body. I was finding humor at the expense of others in order to maintain my job.

In the voice over world, it is quite the opposite. I find a community that strives to build each other up. If there is criticism, it is constructive. We each want to succeed, and aren't afraid to help others find a similar success.

My Pastor says, "Garbage in, garbage out". It can be said the opposite way as well.

You get what you give...the energy released to the universe is the energy that finds its way back to your soul. If you stand in constant judgement of others, you eventually find it is yourself that is in need of judgement.

Today, I am more free and calm than I have been in years. I watch the news and look for the things that will bring positive energy to my life- not for things I can make fun of.

Change your perspective, and you will find it changing your life!

Perspective

My husband and I have lived in our current house for two and a half years. The first Spring we were here, we noticed a large group of Grackles bullying all the songbirds away from the food. These birds are relentless- when they are around, we cannot enjoy our Finches, Mockingbirds, Cardinals, or Robins. It angered me, and I decided I strongly disliked those Grackles, and would never find any joy in them.

The second Spring?? The same thing.

I disliked them even more than before.

However, a strange thing happened this morning. I had just finished watering the garden and refilling the bird bath. I was standing in the kitchen enjoying the aroma of brewing coffee when I saw them. The Grackles were back.

Only this morning...I was not sad- I was filled with joy! My first thought was that Spring is finally here! Just a short while longer and the beds will be filled with flowers, new birds will begin to hatch all over the yard! A goofy grin spread across my face as the Sparrows were chased from the feeder...I was thrilled to see my old friends return.

As is often the case with life, time changes perspective. Something you disliked before may become something you love. Patterns and regularity become your comfort, your joy.

I decided I will spend the rest of my weekend looking for something else to change my perspective about. Those eight radio commercials with the giant hard-to-pronounce words? I will not complain- I will tackle them with gusto! I will remember how I adore my job, and sometimes- even the negative will become positive!

As my dear friend Brian Haymond always says...To Be Continued!

Worm Poop vs Voice Acting

I read a fascinating article in one of my gardening magazines recently that has really started me thinking about my own new voice over business. The article was about two college freshmen from Princeton University that came up with a genius concept for plant food. The 'food' is made from liquefied worm poop. Literally. Food waste from large scale food producers is fed to worms, the castings (or poop) are then processed and liquefied. Early research shows the result is as good if not better than commercial brands. Along the way, these two college students decided to use recycled soda bottles for their 'containers', rejected spray tops for the nozzles, and rejected shipping boxes for their own shipments. The name of the Company is TerraCycle, and you can now pick up their all purpose plant food almost anywhere.

In fact, we picked up a bottle yesterday and started using it last night...I will let you know the results in a month or so.

What I love about this company is that it began with an old concept (worms being good for plants) that became 'new and different'. Months of scientific research went into the development of the food. These guys found earth conscious and money conserving ways to produce their product, bottle it, and ship it. The product is sold at a reasonable price, competitive without being 'cheap'. When I buy it, I feel good about getting a quality product, while supporting conservation at the same time.

As I look at my own business, I want to use these two young men as my models. I want to take an old concept (voice acting) and make it somehow new and fresh. I want to research new voice techniques, spend time on quality auditions and jobs. I don't want to waste money on unnecessary equipment just because someone else has it, or it's the 'cool' product of the moment. When a client 'purchases' my product, I want them to feel good about their decision. I want to give a quality product at a competitive price without being 'cheap'.

Miss any of these steps, and 'worm poop' is all I have to offer!